Which event is associated with the beginning of the Cold War?

The Berlin Blockade is widely recognized as a significant event marking the beginning of the Cold War. Initiated in June 1948, the blockade was a response by the Soviet Union to the unification of the western zones of Germany and the introduction of the Deutschmark in West Germany. By cutting off access to West Berlin, the Soviets aimed to exert control over the entire city, which was situated deep within East Germany.

The Western Allies’ response, known as the Berlin Airlift, demonstrated their commitment to countering Soviet influence and maintaining a presence in West Berlin. This confrontation highlighted the growing ideological and political divide between the Western powers and the Soviet Union, setting the stage for decades of tension, propaganda, and geopolitical maneuvering that characterized the Cold War.

The other events listed, while significant in their own right, occurred later and were shaped by the broader context established by events like the Berlin Blockade. The Cuban Missile Crisis, Korean War, and Vietnam War all represent moments of intense conflict and crisis during the Cold War rather than its inception.